U.S. patent application number 16/651993 was filed with the patent office on 2020-08-20 for mud flap with adaptable mounting section.
This patent application is currently assigned to COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSMENTS MICHELIN. The applicant listed for this patent is Justin BAXTER MORGAN. Invention is credited to Parker Baxter, Calvin Rhett Bradley, Justin Morgan.
Application Number | 20200262487 16/651993 |
Document ID | 20200262487 / US20200262487 |
Family ID | 1000004799815 |
Filed Date | 2020-08-20 |
Patent Application | download [pdf] |
United States Patent
Application |
20200262487 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Morgan; Justin ; et
al. |
August 20, 2020 |
MUD FLAP WITH ADAPTABLE MOUNTING SECTION
Abstract
Embodiments of the disclosure include a mud flap for a vehicle
having a mounting section and a barrier section. The barrier
section is configured to deflect matter discharged from a tire
during vehicle operation. The width of the mounting section is
greater than the width of the barrier section. The mounting section
optionally includes a first set of mounting features, each of the
mounting features forming a recess or aperture. One mounting
feature of the first set of mounting features is arranged at and/or
beyond a widthwise extent of the barrier section width. The one
mounting feature is also arranged at least partially within a
portion of the mounting section width extending outwardly from a
widthwise extent of the barrier section width. Further embodiments
include mounting a single wide mud flap on a vehicle configured to
receive a dual wide mud flap
Inventors: |
Morgan; Justin; (Anderson,
SC) ; Baxter; Parker; (Greenville, SC) ;
Bradley; Calvin Rhett; (Greenville, SC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MORGAN; Justin
BAXTER; Parker
BRADLEY; Calvin Rhett
COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSMENTS MICHELIN |
Greenville
515 Michelin Road
Greenville
Clermont-Ferrand |
SC
SC
SC |
US
US
US
FR |
|
|
Assignee: |
COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES
ETABLISSMENTS MICHELIN
Clermont-Ferrand
FR
|
Family ID: |
1000004799815 |
Appl. No.: |
16/651993 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2017 |
PCT Filed: |
September 29, 2017 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2017/054520 |
371 Date: |
March 27, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D 25/182
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B62D 25/18 20060101
B62D025/18 |
Claims
1. A mud flap for a vehicle comprising: a height, a width, and a
thickness, where in an intended mounted arrangement on a vehicle
the height extends primarily in a vertical direction, the width
extending perpendicular to the height, and the thickness extending
perpendicular to both the height and the width and measuring less
than both the width and height; a mounting section and a barrier
section, the mounting section configured to facilitate mounting of
the mud flap to a vehicle adjacent a tire and the barrier section
configured to intercept and deflect matter discharged from the tire
while rotating during vehicle operation; the mounting section
having a width and the barrier section having a width, each width
of the mounting section and the barrier section extending in the
direction of the mud flap width, where the width of the mounting
section is greater than the width of the barrier section; and, the
mounting section including a first set of mounting features, each
of the mounting features forming a recess or aperture, where one
mounting feature of the first set of mounting features is arranged
at and/or beyond a widthwise extent of the barrier section width,
and where the one mounting feature is arranged at least partially
within a portion of the mounting section width extending outwardly
from a widthwise extent of the barrier section width.
2. The mud flap of claim 1, where the mounting section and the
barrier section are arranged at different heights along the height
of the mud flap.
3. The mud flap of claim 2, where the barrier section is located
below the mounting section relative to the mud flap height.
4. The mud flap of claim 1, where the first set of mounting
features are configured to facilitate attachment of the mud flap to
a mounting structure on the vehicle by way of a first set of
mounting orifices.
5. The mud flap of claim 4 further comprising: a second set of
mounting features configured to facilitate attachment of the mud
flap to a mounting structure on the vehicle by way of a second set
of mounting orifices.
6. The mud flap of claim 5, where one mounting feature of the
second set of mounting features is arranged at and/or beyond a
widthwise extent of the barrier portion width, and where the one
mounting feature is arranged at least partially within a portion of
the mounting portion width extending outwardly from a widthwise
extent of the barrier portion width.
7. The mud flap of claim 6, where each one mounting feature of the
first and second set of mounting features arranged at least
partially within a portion of the mounting portion with extending
outwardly from a widthwise extent of the barrier portion width are
arranged on opposing sides of the mounting section relative to the
mounting section width.
8. The mud flap of claim 1, where the first set of mounting
features forms a quantity of mounting features less than a quantity
of mounting orifices contained in a set of mounting orifices
arranged along a mounting structure configured to mount a dual wide
mud flap, the dual wide mud flap being wider than the mud flap.
9. The mud flap of claim 5, where the second set of mounting
features forms a quantity of mounting features less than a quantity
of mounting orifices contained in a set of mounting orifices
arranged along a mounting structure configured to mount a dual wide
mud flap, the dual wide mud flap being wider than the mud flap.
10. The mud flap of claim 1, where the mounting section width
extends outwardly from the widthwise extent of the barrier section
from one side of the barrier section width.
11. The mud flap of claim 1, where the mounting section width
extends outwardly from the widthwise extent of the barrier section
from opposing sides of the barrier section width.
12. The mud flap of claim 1, where the mud flap includes one or
more recesses arranged along or adjacent to a portion of the
mounting section extending outwardly from the widthwise extent of
the barrier section, the one or more recesses being configured to
facilitate removal of the portion from the mud flap.
13. A method of mounting a mud flap on a vehicle comprising:
providing a mounting structure configured for receiving a dual wide
mud flap, the dual wide mud flap designed to extend across a
substantial width of a dual tire/wheel assembly, the dual wide mud
flap including a first set of mounting orifices to facilitate
reception of the dual wide mud flap; providing a mud flap as
recited in claim 1, the mud flap being a single wide mud flap being
configured to extend across a substantial width of a single wide
tire of a single wide tire/wheel assembly, the single wide mud flap
including a first set of mounting features, each mounting feature
forming a recess or an aperture, where one of the mounting features
is arranged at and/or beyond a first set of mounting features, the
first set of mounting features having less mounting features than
mounting orifices contained in a first set of mounting orifices
arranged along the mounting structure; attaching the single wide
mud flap to the mounting structure by extending a fastening member
through each mounting feature of the first set of mounting
features, where the single wide mud flap is installed behind the
single wide dual/wheel assembly, where the outer widthwise extent
of the barrier section is aligned with the outer, widthwise extent
of the single wide tire of the single wide tire/wheel assembly,
such that the barrier section of the single wide mud flap does not
notably extend outwardly from the widthwise extent of the single
wide tire of the single wide tire/wheel assembly on an exterior
side of the single wide tire/wheel assembly.
14. The method of claim 13, where prior to attaching the single
wide mud flap, the first set of mounting features arranged along
the mounting section of the single wide mud flap is selected for
use from a plurality of sets of mounting features arranged along
the mounting section to facilitate the alignment between the outer
widthwise extent of the single wide mud flap and the single wide
tire/wheel assembly, the plurality of sets at least including the
first set of mounting features and a second set of mounting
features is arranged in the single wide mud flap.
15. The method of claim 13, where the mounting structure forms a
mounting bracket.
Description
BACKGROUND
Field
[0001] Embodiments of this disclosure relate generally to mud flaps
for use on wheeled vehicles, such as trucks, semi tractors and
trailers.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] Commonly, semi tractors and trailers employ mounting
brackets configured to mount mud flaps behind a pair of tire/wheel
assemblies which is often referred to as a dual tire/wheel
assembly. Presently, these dual tire/wheel assemblies may
optionally be replaced with a single wide tire/wheel assembly. In
this case, the single wide tire is wider than each tire employed in
the dual tire/wheel assembly but is not wider than the total width
of the dual tire/wheel assembly. Therefore, when employing single
wide tires, the mud flaps used for dual tire/wheel assemblies
("dual wide" mud flaps) are wider than is needed for a single wide
tire. As a result, any aerodynamic benefit of the single wide tire
resulting from its reduced width is not fully realized. Because the
reduction of drag and other improvements in aerodynamic performance
ultimately result in operational cost savings for vehicle
operators, such as by way of increased fuel economy, there is a
need to substitute mud flaps designed for use with dual tire/wheel
assemblies with narrower mud flaps configured to span the width of
a single side tire.
[0003] One impediment to this substitution is having to mount a
single wide tire mud flap to a pre-existing mud flap mounting
structure, such as a mounting bracket, which employs a standard or
pre-existing hole pattern configured to mount a dual tire mud flap.
Often, these pre-existing mounting structures provide four (4)
orifices (holes) for receiving fasteners to mount the dual tire mud
flaps. A standard spacing of seven (7) inches has been employed for
dual wide mud flaps, which are commonly 24 inches wide. Single wide
mud flaps are commonly 18 inches wide. It is desirable, however, to
use at least three (3) fasteners (meaning, 3 or 4 or more) to mount
the mud flap to the mounting structure to ensure a sufficiently
strong and durable attachment. It is additionally desirable to
mount the single wide mud flap directly behind the single wide
tire, such that the outer side edge defining the outer, widthwise
extent of the single wide mud flap does not notably extend beyond
the single wide tire width, so to minimize any detrimental effect
on aerodynamic performance. However, using the existing hole
pattern on the mounting structure does not permit accomplishment of
these desires. Therefore, there is a need to provide a reduced
width mud flap for use with single wide tires that has an adaptable
mounting section that is able to be used with pre-existing mounting
orifices arranged along a mounting structure on a vehicle otherwise
configured for mounting a dual wide mud flap.
SUMMARY
[0004] Embodiments of the disclosure include a mud flap for a
vehicle, such as for a trailer or a tractor for towing a trailer,
for example. The mud flap includes a height, a width, and a
thickness. In an intended or actual mounted arrangement on a
vehicle, the height extends primarily in a vertical direction, the
width extending perpendicular to the height, and the thickness
extending perpendicular to both the height and the width. The
thickness measures less than both the width and height. The mud
flap also includes a mounting section and a barrier section. The
mounting section is configured to facilitate mounting of the mud
flap to a vehicle adjacent to a tire. The barrier section is
configured to intercept and deflect matter discharged from the tire
while rotating during vehicle operation. The mounting section has a
width and the barrier section has a width, each width of the
mounting section and the barrier section extending in the direction
of the mud flap width. The width of the mounting section is greater
than the width of the barrier section. In certain instances, the
mounting section includes a first set of mounting features, each of
the mounting features forming a recess or aperture. One mounting
feature of the first set of mounting features is arranged at and/or
beyond a widthwise extent of the barrier section width. The one
mounting feature is also arranged at least partially within a
portion of the mounting section width extending outwardly from a
widthwise extent of the barrier section width.
[0005] Embodiments of the disclosure further include methods for
mounting the mud flap to a vehicle. Certain embodiments of such
methods include providing a mounting structure configured for
receiving a dual wide mud flap, the dual wide mud flap designed to
extend across a substantial width of a dual tire/wheel assembly.
The dual wide mud flap includes a first set of mounting orifices to
facilitate reception of the dual wide mud flap.
[0006] Such methods further include providing a single wide mud
flap as recited or contemplated in this disclosure, the single wide
mud flap being configured to extend across a substantial width of a
single wide tire of a single wide tire/wheel assembly. In certain
instances, the single wide mud flap includes a first set of
mounting features, each mounting feature forming a recess or an
aperture where one of the mounting features is arranged at and/or
beyond a first set of mounting features. In particular instances,
the first set of mounting features has less mounting features than
the mounting orifices contained in a first set of mounting orifices
arranged along the mounting structure. Such methods further include
attaching the single wide mud flap to the mounting structure by
extending a fastening member through each mounting feature of the
first set of mounting features. The single wide mud flap is
installed behind the single wide dual/wheel assembly, where the
outer widthwise extent of the barrier section is aligned with the
outer, widthwise extent of the single wide tire of the single wide
tire/wheel assembly, such that the barrier section of the single
wide mud flap does not notably extend outwardly from the widthwise
extent of the single wide tire of the single wide tire/wheel
assembly on an exterior side of the single wide tire/wheel
assembly.
[0007] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages
will be apparent from the following more detailed descriptions of
particular embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings
wherein like reference numbers represent like parts of particular
embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front view of a mud flap having two sets of
mounting features in accordance with an embodiment of the
disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a top view of an exemplary axle having a pair of
dual wheels rotatably attached thereto shown in combination with a
pair of mud flaps operably attached to the vehicle, the figure also
including an alternative axle including a pair of single,
extra-wide tires in substitute for each pair of dual wheels;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a front view of a mud flap attached to a mounting
structure forming a bracket on a vehicle as may be known in the
prior art;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a front view of a mud flap attached to a mounting
structure forming a bracket on a vehicle in accordance with an
embodiment of the disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a front view of a mud flap having additional sets
of mounting features in accordance with another embodiment of the
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS
[0013] This disclosure describes reduced width mud flaps for use
with single wide tires having an adaptable mounting section able to
be used with pre-existing mounting orifices arranged along a
mounting structure on a vehicle, otherwise configured for mounting
a dual wide mud flap.
[0014] Any such mud flap can be described as having a height, a
width, and a thickness. In an intended mounted arrangement on a
vehicle, the height extends primarily in a vertical direction, the
width extending perpendicular to the height, and the thickness
extending perpendicular to both the height and the width. The
thickness can be described as being less than each of the height
and width, and in particular instances, substantially less than
each of the height and width.
[0015] The mud flap can also be described as having a mounting
section and a barrier section. The barrier section is located below
the mounting section in particular instances, in relation to the
mud flap height. In other words, the mounting section and the
barrier section are arranged at different heights along the height
of the mud flap, except that this contemplates that there may be
overlap between the sections along the height. It is appreciated
that the mounting section may be located at the top of the mud flap
or may be offset from the top of the mud flap, where the top of the
mud flap connotes the maximum height of the mud flap in an
elevational sense. The mounting section is configured to facilitate
mounting of the mud flap to a vehicle, and more specifically,
adjacent to (that is near or in close proximity to) a tire/wheel
assembly, such as when the tire is a single wide tire. The barrier
section is configured to intercept and deflect matter discharged
from a rotating tire during vehicle operation. Such material may be
any material that may be found on a ground surface, such as road
debris, stones, and water (taking the form of water spray).
[0016] The mounting section has a width and the barrier section has
a width, each width of the mounting section and the barrier section
extending in the direction of the mud flap width. It is appreciated
that the width of the mounting section is greater than the width of
the barrier section, such that one or more portions of the mounting
section may extend outwardly from a widthwise extent of the barrier
section. For example, in certain instances, the mounting section
extends outwardly from the barrier section on one side of the
barrier section width, while in other instances, the mounting
section extends outwardly from the barrier section on opposing
sides of the barrier width. It is also appreciated that the widths
of each of the mounting and barrier sections may be constant or
variable, as each section may take any known shape. In being wider
than the barrier section, it is appreciated that the mounting
section may extend outwardly from any one or both side edges of the
barrier section, the side edges defining the width of the barrier
section. The side edges also define the widthwise extent of the
barrier section.
[0017] The mounting section includes a first set of mounting
features, configured to facilitate attachment of the mud flap to a
mounting structure on the vehicle by way of a first set of mounting
orifices. Any such mounting feature may form a recess (indentation)
or aperture to facilitate attachment of the mud flap to the
vehicle. An aperture may be configured to receive any desired
fastening member, such as a shaft, bolt, or screw, for example. It
is appreciated that the aperture may take any desired form. For
example, the aperture may form a hole having a circular
cross-section or a hole having an elongated cross-section, such as
forming an oval or truncated circle (an oval having straight
sides), to better permit a more robust ability to align the mud
flap on the mounting structure. A recess forms an indentation, such
as to indicate where an aperture may be formed for mounting
purposes in accordance with a pre-existing pattern for mounting the
mud flap to a particular mounting orifice configuration on the
vehicle.
[0018] It is noted that the one mounting feature of the first set
of mounting features is arranged at and/or beyond (outside) a
widthwise extent of the barrier section width, where the one
mounting feature is arranged at least partially within a portion of
the mounting section width extending outwardly from a widthwise
extent of the barrier section width. It is appreciated that other
mounting features may be arranged at and/or beyond the widthwise
extent of the barrier section. When a second set or any additional
set of mounting features is included in a mounting section of a
single wide mud flap, it is appreciated that one or more mounting
features of the second or additional set of mounting features is
arranged at and/or beyond a widthwise extent of the barrier section
width, and where any such mounting feature is arranged at least
partially within a portion of the mounting section width extending
outwardly from a widthwise extent of the barrier section width,
each any such mounting feature may be arranged on the same or
different side of the mounting section relative to the one from the
first set across the mounting section width. For example, in
certain instances when a first and second set of mounting features
are arranged in a mounting section, with regard to the mounting
features arranged at and/or beyond the widthwise extent of the
barrier section width, one mounting feature of the first set is
arranged on one side of the mounting section while one mounting
feature of the second set is arranged on an opposing side of the
mounting section, each being arranged in a portion of the mounting
section extending outwardly from a widthwise extent of the barrier
section. Any portion of the mounting section extending outwardly
from the widthwise extent of the barrier section may be referred to
as a wing. Each such portion may partially or fully include one of
the mounting features from any one or more sets of mounting
features. It is appreciated that any wing portion, if not in use
for mounting the mud flap to the vehicle, may be removed, such as
when helpful to improve aerodynamic performance. Likewise, each
wing may form any shape, such as being rounded (contoured),
triangular, or rectangular, while in certain instances may be
minimized in size and profile to minimize any harm to aerodynamic
performance. For example, to minimize the wing profile, a rounded
wing may be employed, where an outer extent of the wing
concentrically extends about a mounting feature arranged in the
wing. In certain instances, for example, the width of the wing
(that is, the portion of the mounting section width extending
outwardly from a side of the barrier section width) may extend
outwardly from the side of the barrier width in the direction of
the mounting section width by a distance of 0.75 inches to 1.5
inches, and in more specific instances, by a distance of 1 inch.
This may occur, for instance, when a pair of wings are provided on
opposing sides of the mounting section width. In other instances,
it is appreciated that the distance may be greater than 1.5 inches,
such as when only one wing is provided or when additional mounting
features are to be provided in any wing. Optionally, one or more
recesses (indentations) may be arranged along each wing to
facilitate improved removal of the wing from the mud flap.
[0019] In particular instances, the first set of mounting features
is configured to match a set (pattern) of mounting orifices
arranged on the vehicle or along a mounting structure arranged on,
or for arrangement on, the vehicle. In certain instances, the first
set of mounting features forms a quantity of mounting features less
than a quantity of mounting orifices contained in a set of mounting
orifices arranged along a mounting structure for or on the vehicle.
When one or more additional sets of mounting features are arranged
along the mounting section of the mud flap, each such additional
set of mounting features may be configured to match a different set
(pattern) of mounting orifices arranged on the vehicle or along a
mounting structure arranged on, or for arrangement on, the vehicle.
These different sets may or may not share certain mounting
orifices. By including different sets of mounting features, the mud
flap may be mounted using any one of different mounting orifice
arrangements (patterns) as may be provided on the structure to
which is to be attached. Additionally, the use of different sets of
mounting features permits mounting of the mud flap on different
sides of a vehicle, at different tire/wheel assembly locations on
any vehicle, and/or in different forward or backwards arrangements.
For example, a mud flap may be designed to be only used in a
forward arrangement (which is referred to as a directional mud
flap), while others may be capable of being flipped backwards and
installed in either a forward or backwards arrangement (which is
referred to as a non-directional mud flap).
[0020] In operation, when using a single wide tire/wheel assembly
on a vehicle with a mounting structure configured to receive a dual
wide mud flap, that is, a mud flap configured to be used with a
dual tire/wheel assembly, any single wide mud flap disclosed or
contemplated herein is installed on this mounting structure. In
installing (mounting) the single wide mud flap, while the mud flap
is to be installed behind the single wide dual/wheel assembly, it
is desirous to substantially align the outer side edge (the outer
widthwise extent) of the barrier section with the outer, widthwise
extent of the single wide tire of the single wide tire/wheel
assembly, such that the barrier section of the single wide mud flap
does not notably extend outwardly from the widthwise extent of the
single wide tire/wheel assembly on an exterior side thereof, which
can also be described as not substantially protruding in an axial
direction of the axle from a side of the single wide tire/wheel
assembly opposite a centerline of the axle or vehicle. This set of
mounting features may form the only set of mounting features
arranged within the mounting section or one of a plurality of sets
of mounting features arranged within the mounting section. In
installing the single wide mud flap on the mounting structure
having a set of mounting orifices configured to mount a dual wide
mud flap, a set of mounting features arranged along the mounting
section of the single wide mud flap are selected for use to
facilitate the alignment desired between the outer widthwise
extents of the single wide mud flap barrier section and of the
single wide tire/wheel assembly. The plurality of sets of mounting
features includes the first set and at least a second set of
mounting features. The mounting features for any set may form an
aperture or a recess (indentation) or any combination of thereof.
As mentioned previously, each mounting feature is provided to
facilitate use of fastening members, such as bolts and screws, for
example.
[0021] Certain exemplary embodiments are discussed below in
association with the figures.
[0022] With reference to FIG. 1, a mud flap in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment is shown. In particular, the mud flap 10 has a
height H.sub.10, a width W.sub.10, and a thickness (not shown, but
the thickness extends into the page perpendicular to both the
height H.sub.10 and width W.sub.10). The thickness can be described
as being less than each of the height and width, and in particular
instances, substantially less than each of the height and
width.
[0023] Mud flap 10 of FIG. 1 also includes a mounting section 12
and a barrier section 14. Barrier section 14 is located below
mounting section 12 in relation to the mud flap height H.sub.10. In
other words, mounting section 12 and the barrier section 14 are
arranged at different heights H.sub.12, H.sub.14 along the height
H.sub.10 of mud flap 10. Mounting section 12 is located near the
top T.sub.10 of the mud flap, where the top T.sub.10 connotes the
maximum height of the mud flap in an elevational sense opposite
bottom B.sub.10. Mounting section 12 is configured to facilitate
mounting of mud flap 10 to a vehicle, while barrier section 14 is
configured to intercept and deflect matter discharged from a
rotating tire during vehicle operation, such as, for example, road
debris, stones, and water. Mounting section 12 has a width W.sub.12
and barrier section 14 has a width W.sub.14, each width W.sub.12,
W.sub.14 extending in the direction of the mud flap width W.sub.10.
Mounting section width W.sub.12 is greater than barrier section
width W.sub.14, such that two portions 16 extend outwardly from the
widthwise extent SE.sub.14 of the barrier section 14 on opposing
sides of mounting section 12. Barrier section width W.sub.14 is
shown to be constant, but may be variable in other instances. It is
also noted that barrier section 14 is rectangular in shape, but in
other instances may form any other known shape. In being wider than
barrier section 14, mounting section extends outwardly from both
side edges SE.sub.14 of barrier section 14, side edges SE.sub.14
defining the width W.sub.14 of barrier section 14.
[0024] With continued reference to FIG. 1, mounting section 12
includes a first set 18A of mounting features 18, configured to
facilitate attachment of the mud flap to a mounting structure on a
vehicle by way of a first set of mounting orifices, where any
mounting feature may form a recess or aperture. Additionally, in an
optional arrangement, the exemplary embodiment shown includes a
second set 18B of mounting features 18, configured to facilitate
attachment of the mud flap to a mounting structure on a vehicle by
way of a second set of mounting orifices, where any mounting
feature may form a recess or aperture. It is further shown that one
mounting feature 18 of the first set 18A is arranged on one side of
mounting section 12 while one mounting feature 18 of the second set
18B is arranged on an opposing side of mounting section 12, each
one mounting feature 18 being arranged in a portion 16 of mounting
section 12 extending outwardly from a widthwise extent of the
barrier section 14, this portion 16 being referred to as a wing. In
yet other variations, even more sets of mounting features 18 may be
included. For example, with reference to FIG. 5, a third set 18C
and a fourth set 18D of mounting features 18 are included with the
first set 18A and the second set 18B. By including different sets
of mounting features 18, the mud flap 10 may be mounted using any
one of different mounting orifice arrangements (patterns) as may be
provided on the structure to which is to be attached. Additionally,
the use of different sets of mounting features permits mounting of
the mud flap 10 on different sides of a vehicle, at different
tire/wheel assembly locations on any vehicle, and/or in different
forward or backwards arrangements. For example, a mud flap 10 may
be designed to be only used in a forward arrangement (which is
referred to as a directional mud flap 10), while others may be
capable of being flipped backwards and installed in either a
forward or backwards arrangement (which is referred to as a
non-directional mud flap 10).
[0025] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, one mounting
feature 18 of the first set 18A of mounting features 18 is arranged
at and beyond (that is, outside) a widthwise extent of the barrier
section width W.sub.14, as designated by side edge SE.sub.14. By
doing so, the one mounting feature 18 is arranged partially within
a portion of the mounting section width W.sub.12 extending
outwardly from a widthwise extent SE.sub.14 of the barrier section
width W.sub.14. The portions of the mounting section 12 extending
outwardly from the widthwise extent SE.sub.14 of the barrier
section 14 are each identified as a wing 16. Optionally, each wing
16 includes elongated recesses 22 to facilitate the removal of the
corresponding wing 16 should the mounting feature 18 arranged
therein not be used when mounting the mud flap 10 to a vehicle,
such as when it is helpful to improve aerodynamic performance.
[0026] With reference now to FIG. 2, on a particular vehicle, a
dual wide mud flap 110 is shown arranged behind each of a pair of
dual tire/wheel assemblies 120 arranged at opposing ends of an axle
130. As can be seen, the width of each dual wide mud flap 110
extends the full width W.sub.120 of each dual tire/wheel assembly
120. For comparison purposes, a commensurate axle 230 is shown
having single wide tire/wheel assemblies 220 mounted thereon in
lieu of dual tire/wheel assemblies 120. Axles 130 and 230 are
aligned laterally to show a difference .DELTA. in width between a
dual wide mud flap 110 and the width W.sub.220 of each single wide
tire/wheel assembly 220. Clearly, there is a need for a reduced
width mud flap, that is, a single wide mud flap, for the purpose of
minimizing any reduction in aerodynamic performance when used with
a single wide tire/wheel assembly, where otherwise the mud flap 110
would protrude outwardly from the exterior side of the single wide
tire/wheel assembly 220.
[0027] With reference now to FIG. 3, a dual wide mud flap 110 is
more closely shown mounted to a mounting bracket 140 on a vehicle,
the mud flap 110 arranged behind a dual tire/wheel assembly 120.
The dual wide mud flap 110 includes mounting apertures 118 and is
affixed to mounting bracket 140 using fastening members 150 each of
which extend through a mounting aperture 118 and into a mounting
orifice 160 arranged in a particular arrangement along mounting
bracket 140, the mounting orifices 160 forming a set 160A of
mounting orifices 160. In FIG. 4, a single wide mud flap 10 is
shown mounted to the same mounting bracket 140 used with the dual
tire/wheel assembly 120 in FIG. 3, the single wide mud flap 10
arranged behind a single wide tire/wheel assembly 220. As with the
dual wide mud flap 110, the single wide mud flap 10 is affixed to
mounting bracket 140 using fastening members 150 each of which
extend through a set 160A of mounting orifices 160 arranged in a
particular arrangement along mounting bracket 140. It is noted that
the first set 18A of mounting features 18 forms a quantity of
mounting features less than the quantity of mounting orifices 160
contained the set 160A of mounting orifices 160 arranged along the
mounting structure 140. The difference in width .DELTA. is shown
between single wide mud flap 10 and dual wide mud flap 110, as also
shown in FIG. 2 and which also represents the difference in width
between single wide tire of the single tire/wheel assembly 220 and
dual tire/wheel assembly 120. It is stressed that the single wide
mud flap 10 shown in FIG. 3 is installed on a mounting structure
140 configured to mount a dual wide mud flap (see 110 in FIGS. 2
and 3). FIG. 3 also shows the outer side edge SE.sub.14 (the outer
widthwise extent) of the single wide mud flap barrier section 14
substantially aligned with the outer, widthwise extent of the
single wide tire of the single wide tire/wheel assembly 220, where
the barrier section 14 of the single wide mud flap 10 does not
notably extend outwardly from the widthwise extent of the single
wide tire of the single wide tire/wheel assembly 220 on an exterior
side thereof. The barrier section 14 can also be described as not
substantially protruding in an axial direction A of the axle 230
from a side of the single wide tire of the single wide tire/wheel
assembly 220 opposite a widthwise centerline of the axle or
vehicle. In installing the single wide mud flap 10 on the mounting
structure having a set 160A of mounting orifices 160 configured to
mount a dual wide mud flap, a set 18A of mounting features 18
arranged along the mounting section 12 of the single wide mud flap
10 are selected for use that which facilitate the alignment desired
between the outer, widthwise extents SE.sub.14 of the single wide
mud flap barrier section 14 and the single wide tire of the single
wide tire/wheel assembly 220. This set of mounting features is one
of two sets 18A, 18B of mounting features 18 arranged within
mounting section 12.
[0028] To the extent used, the terms "comprising," "including," and
"having," or any variation thereof, as used in the claims and/or
specification herein, shall be considered as indicating an open
group that may include other elements not specified. The terms "a,"
"an," and the singular forms of words shall be taken to include the
plural form of the same words, such that the terms mean that one or
more of something is provided. The terms "at least one" and "one or
more" are used interchangeably. The term "single" shall be used to
indicate that one and only one of something is intended. Similarly,
other specific integer values, such as "two," are used when a
specific number of things is intended. The terms "preferably,"
"preferred," "prefer," "optionally," "may," and similar terms are
used to indicate that an item, condition or step being referred to
is an optional (i.e., not required) feature of the embodiments.
Ranges that are described as being "between a and b" are inclusive
of the values for "a" and "b" unless otherwise specified.
[0029] While various improvements have been described herein with
reference to particular embodiments thereof, it shall be understood
that such description is by way of illustration only and should not
be construed as limiting the scope of any claimed invention.
Accordingly, the scope and content of any claimed invention is to
be defined only by the terms of the following claims, in the
present form or as amended during prosecution or pursued in any
continuation application. Furthermore, it is understood that the
features of any specific embodiment discussed herein may be
combined with one or more features of any one or more embodiments
otherwise discussed or contemplated herein unless otherwise
stated.
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